Neymar magic for Santos shows why fans want him at World Cup
Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images Neymar’s chances of making Brazil’s World Cup squad have taken a hit in recent months after he was left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s latest call-up. The Italian manager has not completely closed the door, but multiple reports suggest the former Barcelona forward remains unlikely to feature in the final squad. Despite that uncertainty, moments of individual brilliance continue to shape the debate around Neymar’s inclusion, particularly among supporters who still believe he can make a difference.
Neymar’s moment of brilliance against Atletico Mineiro shows why fans still believe Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images During the second half of Santos’ clash with Atletico Mineiro, Neymar produced a one-touch pass that immediately stood out as a reminder of his unique quality. With a single touch, he created a clear chance inside the box, but Gabriel Barbosa failed to anticipate the move and could not convert the opportunity. The play highlighted Neymar’s ability to decide matches in seconds, reinforcing why many fans still expect him to be part of Brazil’s World Cup plans.
At the same time, his potential inclusion remains controversial, with opinion in Brazil split over whether his talent outweighs recent inconsistencies. Neymar still needs improvement to convince Carlo Ancelotti Despite the flash of brilliance, Neymar’s overall performance was not particularly good. He registered five shots without hitting the target and lost possession 24 times during the match.
The forward also completed just two of six dribble attempts, underlining the work still required to force his way back into contention. Read more: Nike has acknowledged a flaw in its 2026 FIFA World Cup jerseys FOX Soccer leaves fans guessing over ‘star-studded’ 2026 FIFA World Cup crew Neymar compares 2022 World Cup exit to ‘The Walking Dead’ and his own funeral